Starlight Christmas Pantomime delivers festive cheer to young patients at St Mary’s Hospital
Children at St Mary’s Hospital enjoyed some early festive cheer this week after they were treated to a special performance of the classic Christmas pantomime, Aladdin.
The fully interactive pantomime is a brand new adaptation of the classic children’s story and provided hours of fun for the young patients who laughed, cheered and sung their way through the performance, which was put on by Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Every year, Starlight provides entertainment and distraction to over half a million poorly children and the Starlight Christmas Pantomime will give thousands of these children the chance to forget their fears and surroundings and get into the festive spirit.
Tina Halton, Senior Play Specialist at St Mary’s Hospital said, “We know that play can significantly help to improve a child’s hospital experience and we are very grateful to Starlight’s Christmas Pantomime for helping bring some extra festive fun to the ward. It really does allow our young patients to forget about their illness for a short while and experience the magic of Christmas that every child deserves.”
Sue Wildman, Head of Children’s Services at Starlight Children’s Foundation, said, “Starlight aims to distract children from the pain and anxiety that they feel as a result of their illness. Starlight’s Christmas Pantomime is a fabulous way of spreading some much needed festive cheer to poorly children and their families spending time in hospitals over the Christmas period. We hope that this performance of Aladdin will be just what the doctor ordered!”
Matt Lee-Alliston, Managing Director of The Panto Company, said, “We’re thrilled to be working with Starlight to bring this interactive performance to so many seriously ill children. Our acting troupe can’t wait to hit the road and bring some laughter and excitement to poorly children across the country this Christmas.”
Starlight is a national charity that grants once-in-a-lifetime wishes for seriously and terminally ill children and provides entertainment in hospitals and hospices across the UK. During an eight week tour, the Starlight Christmas Pantomime will visit children’s wards throughout the country.
For more information on Starlight Children’s Foundation, visit www.starlight.org.uk.
The Cast:
- Aladdin - Ryan Duffy
- Twankey/Abanazer - Harriet Hommers
- Jasmine - Maria May Thompson
- Genie/Wishey - Jonathan Boyd
